Marion Miller is a member of Travel + Leisure’s A-List,
a collection of the top travel advisors in the world, and can help plan
your perfect getaway. Below is an example of the type of itineraries
she creates.
Day 1: Arrive in Delhi
Arrive in Delhi and meet your Micato representative
after deplaning. They will accompany you to your luxury vehicle, where
cool refreshments await. You will drive through the city to your hotel,
The Imperial Hotel, where the manicured lawns, sweeping staircases,
and exquisitely carved stone-work will take you back to the glamorous
days of the Raj.
Day 2: Delhi
Grab a leisurely breakfast before meeting
Micato's tour director, Hem Singh. His charm and intense love for his
country and its people make him the person to have by your side as you
embark on your adventure. Continue to Humayun's Tomb, where Emperor
Humayun, the father of Emperor Akbar, lies buried.
Next, visit a Gurudwara or Sikh Temple, where you
will meet community leaders and help make the day’s meal. You'll learn
how to roll chipatti dough. After lunch, continue your exploration of
the city as you embark on a visit to the Old Delhi. Deep within the
labyrinthine alleys, meet Michael Haidar Ali, who will take you on a
fascinating food walk to discover the many treats available.
Later, dine at the home of our Indian hosts.
Day 3: Delhi to Agra
Proceed to Agra and check into the Oberoi Amarvilas,
located right across from the Taj Mahal. In the evening, visit Mehtab
Bagh, a site across the river that affords a spectacular view of the Taj
Mahal. Back at the hotel, we have arranged for you to enjoy the expert
ministrations of a traditional Ayurvedic therapist. For dinner, head to
the Pool Pavilion, where a sitarist provides the live background music
while you dine.
Day 4: Agra
Rise early to visit the Taj Mahal. As is customary
with Micato, we are the first to enter the gates. Accompanying you is
your dedicated photographer to capture these memorable moments. You will
also visit the widely acclaimed House of Kohinoor for a private viewing
of their priceless collection of hand woven tapestries as well as
jewels, some of which date back to the Mughal era.
In the afternoon, get up close and personal with the
sloth bears living at the world’s largest sloth bear rescue facility. If
of interest, sponsor one of the adorable resident bear cubs and receive
its biography and periodic updates on his welfare.
Day 5: Agra to Ranthambore
After breakfast, take a private charter to Sawai
Madhopur, home to the Ranthambore National Park. Upon arrival in
Ranthambore, proceed to your luxury resort bordering the park, the
Oberoi Vanyavilas. Later in the evening, meet the Head Warden of the
park for cocktails and dinner. Ranthambore is indisputably one of Indian
wildlife conservation’s success stories where the tiger population has
increased over the years. A meeting with him is a perfect way to
understand the tireless conservation efforts which have gone into this.
Day 6: Ranthambore
Awake just before dawn to hot coffee or a pot of tea,
accompanied by a few pieces of shortbread to fortify you for the
morning’s a sunrise game drive. The rolling landscape is simply crawling
with wildlife, but it is the tigers that everyone comes to
see. Ranthambore is one of the best locations to get a close view. They
are sighted almost daily somewhere in the park – especially early in the
morning.
Between game drives, embark on an excursion to
Dastkar – a craft conservation project aimed at sustaining local
artisans and their trade. Visit the workshop where you will see and even
try your hand at different crafts like block printing, patchwork,
rug-weaving and shoe-making.
Day 7: Ranthambore to Jaipur
Depart Ranthambore for Jaipur. Arrive at Rambagh
Palace, your accommodations for the next few nights. In the
afternoon, visit the City Palace complex. Here you'll take the insider’s
tour — your guide knows all the legends that make the Palace such a
memorable place to visit. At night, you are invited for a special family
dinner.
Day 8: Holi
Watch and join in as people of all ages gather and
douse each other with brightly colored powder (gulal) and water. Your
guide will provide the traditional garb for the day – a white
kurta-pyjama and your arsenal of colors. Early this evening, maybe
you’ll want to fly a kite? During your travels through India you will
often see children on rooftops engrossed in the age-old sport of
kite-flying. The children can also enjoy a rangoli session at the hotel,
where they will be taught to recreate a beautiful Indian design using
flower petals/dried rice.
Day 9: Jaipur
Wake up early to enjoy a balloon adventure over
Jaipur. Later, we visit the Amber Fort before heading to a private
elephant sanctuary. You'll get up close and personal with the Asian
elephants by bathing and painting them with traditional Indian designs.
As the sun sets, enjoy cocktails at the members-only Jaipur Polo Club
where you will be joined by members of the legendary Jaipur Polo team.
This elite game, once the sole preserve of kings and princes, is a way
of life in Jaipur and a favourite with the city’s smart set.
Day 10: Jaipur to Udaipur
Once again, awake to a delightful breakfast before
departing for Udaipur. Upon arrival, you'll visit the City Palace, the
largest palace complex in Rajasthan. Afterwards, we continue to your
hotel, Taj Lake Palace, in time for lunch. The perfect way to enhance
your stay at the Lake Palace Hotel is to take a cruise on the Gangaur
boat around the serene Lake Pichola. The Gangaur is an antique royal barge belonging to the House of Mewar, and was used in the James Bond film Octopussy. Cocktails and a delectable dinner will be served.
Day 11: Udaipur
Join your guide for a tour of the nearby temples
of Eklingji. You also visit Nagda, the site of two fourth-century
temples, both embellished with intricately carved royal edits, recalling
the harsh rulers of centuries past. After lunch, you'll take a camel
cart ride through the nearby village, where you’ll meet a village elder.
He will take you on a walk through the village, introducing you to his
family and perhaps inviting you for a cup of tea at his home.
Day 12: Udaipur to Jodhpur
This morning, after breakfast, you will depart
Udaipur and drive to Ranakpur to visit the magnificent Ranakpur Jain
temple complex. You'll stop for lunch at the charming Maharani Bagh
Orchards, originally gifted by the Maharaja to his queen and used as a
royal retreat. Afterwards, continue your journey and drive on
to Jodhpur. Check into the Umaid Bhawan Palace, where you will receive
the royal treatment as you settle into your gorgeous room. Once you’ve
settled in, you’re off to explore the older part of Jodhpur city on
auto-rickshaw, the best way to navigate the narrow lanes. Spend some
time soaking in the sights and sounds of the bustling alleyways of the
old-world bazaar. Roam the narrow lanes dotted with tiny shops selling
exquisite Rajasthani textiles, handicrafts, pottery, curios and
exquisite Rajasthani silver jewellery. Afterwards, you will return once
more to your beautiful palace.
Day 13: Jodhpur
Your day begins with a visit to the Meherangarh
Fort. Later, you will set off to visit the nearby Bishnoi Villages like
Guda Bishnoiyan, Kakani, and Khejarli. Afterwards, explore the
surrounding countryside on an open jeep safari, stopping en-route for a
picnic lunch. You will return to your hotel in the late afternoon.
Day 14: Depart (Jodhpur to Delhi)
This morning your journey draws to a close as you fly
to Delhi. Upon arrival, you will be escorted to a hotel where a room
has been reserved for you. Later that night, proceed to the
international airport for your flight home.
